Police began arresting protesters in Parliament Square who gathered to support banned group Palestine Action. The crowd chanted "shame on you" as one man was taken away by officers.
Later, police collected elderly protesters sitting in a line behind placards reading "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action". Further chants of "Met Police you can't hide - you're supporting genocide" echoed across the square.
The Metropolitan Police warned ahead of the demonstration that expressing support for the proscribed organisation constitutes a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act. The force stated on social media that officers would make arrests where they see offences.
Swift police response
Arrests began just 12 minutes after the protest's official start time. The Metropolitan Police announced: "Officers have begun making arrests for expressing support for proscribed terror organisation Palestine Action at the protest organised by Defend Our Juries."
Mike Higgins, 62, who is blind and uses a wheelchair, returned to Parliament Square after being one of 532 people arrested at a previous demonstration last month. He told PA: "What choice do I have? Nothing is being done about the genocide other than by us. And I'm a terrorist? That's the joke of it. I've already been arrested under the Terrorism Act and I suspect I will be today. Of course I'll keep coming back - what choice do I have?"
Organised protest tactics
Defend Our Juries organised the demonstration on condition of at least 1,000 people pledged support, claiming hundreds more planned to participate. Support reportedly increased after activists involved in organising protests were arrested under terror laws.
Attendees planned to refuse street bail and go "floppy", forcing officers to physically carry them away. This strategy aims to require more people to be taken into custody and strain police resources.
Broader demonstrations
One protester wore a "Plasticine Action" t-shirt - a satirical reference that made headlines when another demonstrator was mistakenly arrested for similar clothing last month. Franco Ferrer, 69, from Llanberis in north Wales, told PA: "Maybe they can't read. The T-shirt is an effective way of getting the message across without risking arrest. I won't write a sign because I don't think I have the courage to do that. I've come to support the action because the Government banning a protest group by using terror laws is outrageous. It's silencing free speech."
Separate demonstrations took place in Russell Square organised by the Palestine Coalition, which includes Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stop the War. Additional rallies were scheduled in Belfast and Edinburgh.
Legal proceedings
Six people allegedly connected to Defend Our Juries appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, denying terror offences. They are accused of attempting to organise mass gatherings aimed at rendering the Palestine Action ban unenforceable through meetings in London, Cardiff and Manchester.
The Crown Prosecution Service announced on Friday that a further 24 people were charged with allegedly showing support for the group, bringing the total number being prosecuted to 138. Palestine Action was banned as a terror organisation in July after claiming responsibility for damaging two Voyager planes at RAF Brize Norton on June 20.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
